Elite Kenyan endurance runners are hydrated day-to-day with ad libitum fluid intake

Barry Fudge, C. Easton, D. Kingsmore, F.K. Kiplamai, V.O. Onywera, Klaas Westerterp, B. Kayser, T.D. Noakes, Yannis Pitsiladis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previous studies of elite Kenyan endurance runners reported that athletes did not consume liquids before or during training and infrequently consumed modest amounts of liquids after training that contributed to low daily fluid intake. PURPOSE To assess hydration status of elite Kenyan endurance runners during an important training period. METHODS Hydration status was monitored in fourteen elite Kenyan endurance runners over a 5-d training period 1 wk prior to the Kenyan national trials for the 2005 IAAF Athletics World Championships by measuring body mass, urine osmolality, total body water, and daily fluid intake. Dietary sodium (Na) intake was estimated using a 5-d nutritional diary and biochemical analysis, whilst [Na] was determined in urine and sweat. Intestinal temperature was monitored continuously during training sessions. RESULTS Daily fluid intake was consistent with previous observations. There was a significant body mass loss during the morning, interval, and afternoon training sessions (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, mean total body water and pretraining body mass were well maintained day-to-day throughout the 5-d recording period (P = 0.194 and P = 0.302, respectively). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the osmolality of the morning urine sample and the evening sample (P = 0.685). Mean Na intake was not significantly different to Na loss in sweat and urine (P = 0.975). No athlete showed signs or symptoms of heat strain at any time. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that elite Kenyan endurance runners remain well hydrated day-to-day with an ad libitum fluid intake; a pattern and volume of fluid intake that is consistent with previous observations of elite Kenyan endurance runners.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1171-1179
Number of pages9
JournalMedicine and science in sports and exercise
Volume40
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2008

Keywords

  • diet composition
  • sweat rate and composition
  • urine osmolality
  • elite Kenyan runners

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Elite Kenyan endurance runners are hydrated day-to-day with ad libitum fluid intake'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this